On the Hard in New London, NH

For the past couple of days, we have been on the hard in New London, NH staying at the family house.  Jen, Mark, Adam, and Erin are here for a two week vacation.  They are using the house as a base to explore VT, NH and seeing other friends. 

The last couple of days before we got here have been spent travelling Maine but in areas that have very poor Verizon coverage. In fact we hardly can get a phone call out and when on the Internet it takes 5-10 minutes for gmail to download.  It is like being back 15 years ago when the Internet was first starting.

After leaving Castine, we made out way to Blue Hill, Maine and had a great time visiting Al and Jane Birk. They have a "camp" on a lake but their place has hot and cold running water and electricity.  Had a nice time with them featuring a hike up Blue Hill, another hike with their hiking club and a great lobster lunch.

We were then off to SW Harbor which is on Mt. Desert Island, surrounded by Acadia National Park.
We are at the Hinckley Yacht Service Center with some repair work, the most significant is getting a stanchion repaired.  It is the one that all the tender drivers grasp onto when they pull along side to pick us up or let us off.  Most tenders are set up to use their port side for passengers, which means the starboard side on the customer's boat.

So off we drove to New London,  got here on Friday. Having a great time with the family. The grand kids are growing up quickly.  Adam has learned to say no.  He understands every thing you say and is starting to talk a lot.  Erin is having a good time as Clair, also 5, lives in the rental house and they have been playing everyday.

Joe

PS  Finally have some photos to show:

Jane Birk on top of Blue Hill, you can see for miles

High Spirits is on the left hand side of this picture of the Outer Harbor at Blue Hill, Maine

Her is the Flash in the Pans Community Steel Band of Blue Hill, Maine. Started 40 years ago, and has grown into a 40 + person operation.  They play every Monday in Blue Hill or a surrounding town.
Have an amazing sound.  Their website is  www.flashinthepans.org

This is Carl Chase the founder of Flash in the Pans.  He is playing a steel brake drum with two steel drumsticks. It has a high tenor sound which stands out in the mix of sounds. 

I put in this picture of Erin, our granddaughter, and Clair, the five year old who is
living in the rental side of the house in New London.